Page 61 of Sea and Sky
“Why are you doing this, Jessi? I thoughtwe werefriends.”
“Aye, we were.”
“But?”
“But nothing. Vex gave me an offer I couldn’t refuse and you’re stuck in the crossfire.”
“It didn’t have to be this way.” Kyler remembered all the fun they had. Long talks about the future. She only had a five-year sentence while he had life until recently. She was the one person onboard that hadn’t violated him.
“Didn’t it?” When Kyler turned to look at her, sadness filled her eyes.
“I screwed up, Ky. There’s nothing I can do now.”
“We can fix this. Fix us.”
“I don’t think so. I…” Jessi choked and sputtered. She grabbed her throat. Whatever it was, she wasn’t allowed to talk about it.
“You did something, didn’t you?”
She nodded, breathing heavy through her nose. “I’m sorry.” She pushed to her feet.
“We all do what we have to, to survive.”
“Perhaps. Or we make stupid mistakes we regret the rest of our lives. Vex said to get the stone and meet him at the cove a few miles south.” With that, she scurried out.
Whatever she’d promised couldn’t be good. Kyler hated not knowing. But hated worse how he had to betray Gavin.
“Are you okay?”
Kyler’s head snapped up to find Gavin at the door. “I’m sorry for upsetting you. That wasn’t my intention at all.”
“I—” Kyler shook his head and pushed to his feet. Had Gavin seen Jessi leave?
“I should have told you what I’d knew—”
Kyler pressed a finger to Gavin’s lips and sank into his arms. “It’s fine. I’m not mad at you.”
Gavin swayed with Kyler to the fiddle music softly wafting into their room. The prince’s hand smoothed down Kyler’s hair, then continued until it landed to the small of his back. Kyler wanted to stay like this for eternity. Gavin was so sweet. And Kyler was a lie.
“We’ll be there shortly,” Gavin said. “The speed spells should get us there by this afternoon.”
“I suppose our little adventure is almost over.” Kyler’s heart ached. He wasn’t ready.
“Would you be willing to perform the kiss today? Or do you wish for more rest?”
“Best get it over with, don’t you think? It’s what I’m here for.” Kyler hated how his voice sounded bitter.
Gavin nodded. “I like to think you’re here for more than just that. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you. The real you, not the pirate you.”
“How can you possibly know which Kyler is which?”
A smile tipped Gavin’s lips, and he led them to the bed. “You blush easily. Did you know that? And when no one is looking, your smile radiates so much warmth. You helped a sailor with seasickness, so I know you’re kind. And—”
“Stop,” Kyler whispered. He didn’t want to see himself in the prince’s eyes. “I can be ruthless and fierce.”
“I know not to play cards with you.” A smile tipped Gavin’s lips.
“That’s not what I mean.” Kyler shoved him to the bed. He straddled Gavin’s thighs. Kyler pressed the knife he’d kept hidden to Gavin’s throat. “I could kill you and make it look like someone else had done it.” The words were false. Kyler had never killed anyone and hadn’t planned on starting any time soon.
